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Halo Array: Difference between revisions
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The Halo Array is a network of ring-shaped artificial worlds created by the Forerunners in order to exterminate all sentient life within range of the array, which covers the entire Milky Way galaxy.<ref name="great journey">'''[[Halo 2]]''', level ''[[The Great Journey]]'', '''343 Guilty Spark:''' ''"After exhausting every other strategic option, my creators activated the rings. They, and all additional sentient life in three radii of the galactic center, died, as planned."''</ref> Rather than a weapon of war, these were used as a last resort against the Flood, a parasitic extra-galactic species that threatened to infest every sentient lifeform in the galaxy. By activating the rings, the Forerunners denied the Flood access to these lifeforms, effectively starving the species to virtual extinction, though it clung to life in a number of Forerunner containment facilities, including Halo installations.<ref name="library">'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', level ''[[The Library]]''</ref> | The Halo Array is a network of ring-shaped artificial worlds created by the Forerunners in order to exterminate all sentient life within range of the array, which covers the entire Milky Way galaxy.<ref name="great journey">'''[[Halo 2]]''', level ''[[The Great Journey]]'', '''343 Guilty Spark:''' ''"After exhausting every other strategic option, my creators activated the rings. They, and all additional sentient life in three radii of the galactic center, died, as planned."''</ref> Rather than a weapon of war, these were used as a last resort against the Flood, a parasitic extra-galactic species that threatened to infest every sentient lifeform in the galaxy. By activating the rings, the Forerunners denied the Flood access to these lifeforms, effectively starving the species to virtual extinction, though it clung to life in a number of Forerunner containment facilities, including Halo installations.<ref name="library">'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', level ''[[The Library]]''</ref> | ||
The two most well-known Halo installations, [[Installation 04]] and [[Installation 05]], both orbit gas giants, though it is not known whether this is the case of all the Halos. Installation 04 maintained an atmospheric mining facility in [[Threshold]]'s atmosphere until [[Battle of the Threshold gas mine|it was destroyed]] by the [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]].<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', level ''[[The Oracle]]''</ref> Though separated by thousands of light-years, the twelve installations are networked together and capable of remote activation at [[Installation 00|the Ark]], an extragalatic fallback point. Each Halo installation has a maximum effective range of 25,000 light-years.<ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', level ''[[Two Betrayals]]'', 343 Guilty Spark: ''"Technically, this installation has a maximum effective | The two most well-known Halo installations, [[Installation 04]] and [[Installation 05]], both orbit gas giants, though it is not known whether this is the case of all the Halos. Installation 04 maintained an atmospheric mining facility in [[Threshold]]'s atmosphere until [[Battle of the Threshold gas mine|it was destroyed]] by the [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]].<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', level ''[[The Oracle]]''</ref> Though separated by thousands of light-years, the twelve installations are networked together and capable of remote activation at [[Installation 00|the Ark]], an extragalatic fallback point. Each Halo installation has a maximum effective range of 25,000 light-years.<ref>'''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''', ''[[Terminal/Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary#Terminal 8|Terminal 8]]'' (''"25,000 light years. That is the effective range of this installation."'')</ref><ref name="radius">'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', level ''[[Two Betrayals]]'', 343 Guilty Spark: ''"Technically, this installation's pulse has a maximum effective radius of twenty-five thousand light years."''</ref> The methods utilized by the array to conduct this "mass sterilization protocol"<ref>'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''', level ''[[The Library]]'', 343 Guilty Spark: ''"Why the Flood is, naturally, simply too dangerous to release, and mass sterilization protocols may again need to be enacted."''</ref> involve the superluminal conveyance of a burst of cross-phased super-massive neutrinos. These particles are tuned to emit a harmonic frequency that destroys the nervous system of any life form within range. Lower organisms such as plants, fungi and bacteria are unaffected, along with inanimate structures. [[Precursor]] technology, however, is extremely susceptible to damage from the Halo effect.<ref> '''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 132''</ref><ref name="c274"/> | ||
The Halo Array in its entirety has only been fired once in known history, approximately 100,000 years ago, by the [[The Didact|Didact]]<ref>'''[[Iris]]''', ''Array Recorder Data''</ref> in order to stop the Flood from overwhelming the galaxy. Despite being the network's builders, the Forerunners were - as far as is known - killed in this last suicidal attempt to save the rest of the universe from a worse fate.<ref name="great journey"/> The array has nearly been activated three times since; Installation 04 was almost activated by the [[John-117|Master Chief]] before being deactivated by [[Cortana]], while Installation 05 was activated by Commander [[Miranda Keyes]], forced by the [[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae]] [[Tartarus]], and [[Avery Junior Johnson|Sergeant Johnson]] was forced by the [[Prophet of Truth]] to activate the Ark. None of these attempts were successful. A [[Installation 04B|replacement]] Halo for the destroyed Installation 04 was activated outside of the array's range, eliminating the freed Flood, but did not activate the rest of the Array.<ref name="halo3halo">'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level ''[[Halo (Halo 3 level)|Halo]]''</ref> | The Halo Array in its entirety has only been fired once in known history, approximately 100,000 years ago, by the [[The Didact|Didact]]<ref>'''[[Iris]]''', ''Array Recorder Data''</ref> in order to stop the Flood from overwhelming the galaxy. Despite being the network's builders, the Forerunners were - as far as is known - killed in this last suicidal attempt to save the rest of the universe from a worse fate.<ref name="great journey"/> The array has nearly been activated three times since; Installation 04 was almost activated by the [[John-117|Master Chief]] before being deactivated by [[Cortana]], while Installation 05 was activated by Commander [[Miranda Keyes]], forced by the [[Chieftain of the Jiralhanae]] [[Tartarus]], and [[Avery Junior Johnson|Sergeant Johnson]] was forced by the [[Prophet of Truth]] to activate the Ark. None of these attempts were successful. A [[Installation 04B|replacement]] Halo for the destroyed Installation 04 was activated outside of the array's range, eliminating the freed Flood, but did not activate the rest of the Array.<ref name="halo3halo">'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level ''[[Halo (Halo 3 level)|Halo]]''</ref> | ||
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===Custodial=== | ===Custodial=== | ||
[[File:343.JPG|right|thumb|275px|343 Guilty Spark, Monitor of Installation 04.]] | [[File:343.JPG|right|thumb|275px|343 Guilty Spark, Monitor of Installation 04.]] | ||
The Installations are designed to be run by advanced artificial intelligence constructs specially purposed by the Forerunners. The highest intelligence on each Installation is a single Monitor.<ref>'''Halo: Combat Evolved''', level ''[[343 Guilty Spark (level)|343 Guilty Spark]]''</ref> The Monitor's task is to ensure that the installation's [[Constructor]]s, [[Sentinel]]s, and [[Enforcer]]s repair, maintain, and defend the ring from damage, contain Flood specimens, and ensure that their own installation is ready to fire on demand, including running activation simulations.<ref name="gravemind"/> Monitors also have access to their respective installation's defensive system. <ref> | The Installations are designed to be run by advanced artificial intelligence constructs specially purposed by the Forerunners. The highest intelligence on each Installation is a single Monitor.<ref>'''Halo: Combat Evolved''', level ''[[343 Guilty Spark (level)|343 Guilty Spark]]''</ref> The Monitor's task is to ensure that the installation's [[Constructor]]s, [[Sentinel]]s, and [[Enforcer]]s repair, maintain, and defend the ring from damage, contain Flood specimens, and ensure that their own installation is ready to fire on demand, including running activation simulations.<ref name="gravemind"/> Monitors also have access to their respective installation's defensive system. <ref>'''Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary''', ''Terminal 1''</ref> | ||
In addition, each installation contains less intelligent constructs, known as Sentinels. The Sentinels serve virtually any purpose necessary to ensure that the Halo functions properly and are capable of combating small Flood outbreaks. Should a major Flood outbreak occur, heavier automatons, such as the Enforcers and [[Sentinel Major]]s will be created to assist the Sentinels. In the meantime, Constructors are also created to ensure that the Forerunner structures on the Installation are kept in optimal shape, and that they are not damaged by conflict or weather.<ref>'''Halo 2''', level ''[[Sacred Icon]]''</ref> | In addition, each installation contains less intelligent constructs, known as Sentinels. The Sentinels serve virtually any purpose necessary to ensure that the Halo functions properly and are capable of combating small Flood outbreaks. Should a major Flood outbreak occur, heavier automatons, such as the Enforcers and [[Sentinel Major]]s will be created to assist the Sentinels. In the meantime, Constructors are also created to ensure that the Forerunner structures on the Installation are kept in optimal shape, and that they are not damaged by conflict or weather.<ref>'''Halo 2''', level ''[[Sacred Icon]]''</ref> | ||
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The Halo installations are also equipped with drive engines spaced along their rim. In the event of an emergency, a Halo can maneuver itself to avoid damage from a collision or weaponry.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum,''', ''page 314''</ref> In addition, they possess [[hard light]] reinforcement to stabilize and protect them against tidal and gravitational forces from other objects.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 311''</ref> | The Halo installations are also equipped with drive engines spaced along their rim. In the event of an emergency, a Halo can maneuver itself to avoid damage from a collision or weaponry.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum,''', ''page 314''</ref> In addition, they possess [[hard light]] reinforcement to stabilize and protect them against tidal and gravitational forces from other objects.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 311''</ref> | ||
The rings of the second Halo | The rings of the second Halo Array are 10,000 km in diameter; this size is roughly similar to that of Earth, which is 12,756 km in diameter. The surface of each ring is 318 kilometers wide.<ref>'''Halo: The Essential Visual Guide''', ''page 6''</ref> The original twelve Halo rings were 30,000 km in diameter.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 310''</ref> During the [[Battle of the capital]], one of the original rings escaped to Installation 00, where it joined the six newly constructed installations.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 335''</ref> Thus, one of the modern Halos is 30,000 km in diameter, unless another new installation was constructed to replace it. Each installation orbits a large, dense planet which serves as a gravitational anchor.{{Citation needed}} For example, Installation 04 and Installation 05 orbited [[Threshold]] and [[Substance]], respectively, which are both large gas giants. | ||
===Firing method=== | ===Firing method=== | ||
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The Halo Array is complex, but each ring can be activated individually by a Reclaimer, also activating the other installations, or they can all be activated simultaneously from Installation 00. In the event of a major Flood outbreak, an installation's Monitor will seek out a Reclaimer if available, whom they will enlist to aid them. It will teleport them to the installation's library and will assist the individual in retrieving the Index. The Monitor then stores the Index within its data arrays for safe transportation, lest the Reclaimer fall prey to the Flood before they can activate the installation. Once at the control room, the Reclaimer must insert the Index into the control panel in order to begin the activation sequence. | The Halo Array is complex, but each ring can be activated individually by a Reclaimer, also activating the other installations, or they can all be activated simultaneously from Installation 00. In the event of a major Flood outbreak, an installation's Monitor will seek out a Reclaimer if available, whom they will enlist to aid them. It will teleport them to the installation's library and will assist the individual in retrieving the Index. The Monitor then stores the Index within its data arrays for safe transportation, lest the Reclaimer fall prey to the Flood before they can activate the installation. Once at the control room, the Reclaimer must insert the Index into the control panel in order to begin the activation sequence. | ||
The main weapon is amplified by [[phase pulse generator]]s, three of which are close to the control room, at least on Installation 04. Each installation has a maximum effective radius of 25,000 light-years<ref | The main weapon is amplified by [[phase pulse generator]]s, three of which are close to the control room, at least on Installation 04. Each installation has a maximum effective radius of 25,000 light-years<ref name="radius"/> and functions via form of lethal radiation.<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 183''</ref> The pulse is designed to kill all sentient life in the installation's three-dimensional radius, with the array covering the entire galaxy. The pulse targets the nervous system of sentient life forms via the issuing of a harmonic frequency.<ref name="ENC">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''pages 170-174''</ref> The only known way to avoid the effects of these pulses is to escape to a [[shield world]] or to escape to Installation 00, which is out of range of the array. Once activated from Installation 00, the other installations will fire simultaneously, eradicating all sentient life in the galaxy, thus starving and killing the Flood.<ref name="great journey"/> | ||
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